What Are The Myths And Facts Behind What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues on site annually. You must also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner following an inspection to ensure safety. This document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. gas safety certificate grace period have a legal responsibility to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good order and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and gives the best protection for their tenants.
To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. Additionally gas safety certificate homeowner will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by sending them a letter that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they do not allow them entry. If this fails the landlord might decide to start the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being conducted. This should be provided to current tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original records for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their homes are regularly inspected by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the test. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. This document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It's recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas safety checks. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. It is possible to contact the tenant in writing, asking them to contact an engineer directly and to make repeated requests for access. You can also contact your local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, the landlord may consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This applies regardless of whether the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified engineer and found to be safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of issue.
It is also legal for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move into.
There are exceptions to this rule however, when the property is used for short-term lets like holiday cottages or student housing. It would be a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of stress and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he must fix them as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they may be charged and could face fines or even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord who needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide an same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, as well as any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
It's a good idea give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification was completed. It should be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You can send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant still refuses to allow access, you could consider launching an Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll need to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be available to assist you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about what's included and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.